Frequently Asked Questions
On House Roofing...
"Discover Some Interesting Facts About House Roofing
Which Are Often Misunderstood By The Public!"
1. Is a tiled roof better than a steel roof?
2. Do rotary vents make the house cooler in winter?
3. Why it's still cold inside the house, even if you have installed high quality insulation product?
4. Should scratches on the steel roof be touched up?
5. Does coated steel last longer?
6. How do you 'bushfire' proof the roof area?
7. Which gutter is the best?
8. Which gutter guard is the best?
9. What are the common licenses a roofing contractor should hold?
10. What are the common insurance covers a roofing contractor should hold?
Q1: Is a tiled roof better than a steel roof?
A: Well, there are at least 3 different issues to consider:
1) From the structure point of view:
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistic, the average house size today is 264 m2. This means, after allowing for pitch and eaves, a tiled house roof will weigh 15,629 kg (excluding any timberwork), while the same roof in steel would weigh merely 1,467 kg - i.e. less than 10% of the tiled house roof's weight.
Although the roof is designed to carry this kind of weight, its structure will be affected as the structure members deform gradually over the years. This is often evident at the gutter corners which regularly start to hold water after a few years, due to the hips being elongated.
2) From the utility point of view:
Tile companies claim that the additional weight of a tiled house roof makes storm damage less likely. But, I think the big hailstorm that hit Sydney on 14 April 1999 has dispelled this myth. In fact, the lighter weight of a steel roof is absolutely not a concern as long as the house is properly constructed and tied down according to Australian Standards. On the contrary, steel house roofs are regularly used in cyclone areas!
3) From the security point of view:
A young mother of three, Judith, 'broke' into her own home through the tiled roof without using any tools when she left her keys behind.
If Judith managed to 'break' into her own home easily, could you imagine how easy a 'professional' burglar can get into her house (or any house) through the tiled roof?
Q2: Do rotary vents make the house cooler in winter?
A: No. In fact, it's the other way around. By venting the moist air out of the roof space, the air insulates the house better.
Q3: Why it's still cold inside the house, even if you have installed high quality insulation product?
A: Because it is not only important how good is the insulation product, but also where it is installed. Most people think that it is enough to have their ceiling insulated… But, they don't realise how much waste of greenhouse gases (and hence their money) is leaking through the roof.
If the roof is insulated, the whole roof space (i.e. space between the roof and the ceiling) becomes an additional insulating air pocket.
Q4: Should scratches on the steel roof be touched up?
A: Absolutely Not! Minor scratches, especially along the ridges, are common and normal industry standard. They are not visible from the ground. Touching up minor scratches will cause damage to the roof sheet and shorten its lifespan.
If the scratches are very bad and highly visible from the ground, the roof sheet should be replaced with a new one.
However, we will always touch up all rivets in the gutters.
Q5: Does coated steel last longer?
A: Yes (in my opinion)... It is similar to a permapine pergola which will last longer if it is painted. However, Blue Scope Steel doesn’t extend its warranty for coated steel.
Q6: How do you 'bushfire' proof the roof area?
A: This can be done by using sisalation and/or an insulation blanket under the whole roof, using special glass for skylights and using bronze flywire to any penetrations (e.g. rotary vents).
Q7: Which gutter is the best?
A: Although the Fielders Hi Front Quad Gutter has the biggest water carrying capacity, my favourite gutter is the 'halfround' gutter with external brackets. This 'halfround' gutter is only slightly smaller, but it has a self-cleaning mechanism... because the water swirls in this gutter. Also, since it has external brackets and has no sharp corners inside, any debris in the gutter will be easily removed and flushed away with the water flow.
Q8: Which gutter guard is the best?
A: Well, there are quite a few good gutter guards available on the market. However, the best result is achieved by creating an easy to maintain gutter system, and by cleaning it at regular intervals.
Q9: What are the common licenses a roofing contractor should hold?
A: Here are some of the common licenses that the best roofing contractors hold:
- Contractor license - To insure that the company has enough funds to operate on the license level. Every contractor must hold a contractor license.
- Supervisor's license - Held by supervisor. Every company needs to have at least one supervisor's license, in order to carry out roofing work.
- Green Card - A safety course which a worker has to complete in order to work at commercial sites.
- Safe Working at Height - A safety course which a worker is required to complete (usually by the customer) in order to work at sites with height challenges.
- License for removal of asbestos - Required to carry out the operation of asbestos removal.
- License for inspecting and tagging electrical equipment - Every single power tool used at site needs to be inspected and tagged four times a year.
- Sizzer Lift and Elevated Work Platform License - Required to operate the appropriate machinery used for most commercial projects.
- CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) Number - allows worker to participate in training courses at member prices.
More details about contractor's license are given in our Free Special Report...
...Or you can call or email us if you have any specific enquiries on the contractor license...
Click here for our contact details... or submit a request for us to contact you.
Q10: What are the common insurance covers a roofing contractor should hold?
A: Here are some of the common insurance covers that the best roofing contractors hold:
- Public Liability Insurance - Insure general public from injury at the site during the course of the project. It covers all the employees in the company.
- Product Liability Insurance - Insure any defects of a product caused by negligence of the roofing contractor. For example, since most sunscreens have a chemical reaction with metal roof sheet, if a tradesperson leaves his ‘sunscreen finger prints' on a COLORBOND© steel, these finger prints will show up about six months later and are not removable. PL insurance will cover the replacement cost.
- Workcover Insurance - Insure workers from on-site injuries.
- Comprehensive Vehicle Insurance - Insure company vehicle from damage caused by employees who drive the vehicle. This insurance ensures that the customer will not be left with a large bill, should the vehicle be damaged in an accident.
More details about contractor's insurance are given in our Free Special Report...
Click here to get a copy of the free report NOW!
...Or you can call or email us if you have any specific enquiries on the contractor insurance...
Click here for our contact details... or submit a request for the house roofing specialists to contact you.